Six meals a day

Could it be better for diabetics?

Six meals a day could be better than three for those who weigh too much, new research suggests.

A study of obese people with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes found that those who ate “little and often” had far better blood sugar control than those who enjoyed three large meals.

The research tracked participants who were put on a special diet for six months, with the same calorie intake, but varied frequency of eating.

Half were prescribed six meals a day, and half told to have three meals – with the groups swapping after three months.

Those on the six-meal plan saw a decrease in their glycated haemoglobin and glucose levels, indicating improved blood sugar control, research found.

All 47 participants in the study were given the same calorie count, which was designed to maintain their weight – in order to identify the impact of the regime on diabetes alone.